Solar radiation condensing device

ABSTRACT

A solar radiation condensing device ( 1 ), characterized by comprising a plurality of reflectors ( 10 ) disposed on a reflector arrangement surface, reference point providing members ( 20 ) for determining the reference points for the rotating motions of the plurality of reflectors, and a cam mechanism ( 30 ) for simultaneously rotating the plurality of reflectors around the reference points, the cam mechanism further comprising a cam ( 40 ) of such a specified shape that the plurality of reflectors can condense an incident solar radiation, a plurality of probes ( 60, 70 ) coming into contact with the plurality of reflectors, and unshown guide members for storing the plurality of probes, wherein a rotating mechanism ( 90 ) for rotating the plurality of reflectors around a straight line perpendicular to the reflector arrangement surface so that the incident solar radiation (S) is positioned along a specified incident direction area is disposed in an XYZ moving coordinate system moving along with the reflector arrangement surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar radiation concentratingapparatus for use in a solar heat system, a solar heat power generationsystem, a solar cooker, a solar furnace, a photovoltaic power generationsystem, a distillation device, a sunlight illuminator, a chemicalreactor system, or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As a background art utilizing energy of solar radiation, there isa photovoltaic power generation system, a solar heat system, a solarfurnace, a distillation apparatus such as a saline water desalinationsystem and so forth, a chemical reactor system, or a sunlightillumination system, for example.

[0003] The energy density of solar radiation is about 1 KW/m². Inoperating these energy systems at a high energy density, solar radiationis concentrated. As a convergence element for concentrating solarradiation, there area Fresnel lens, a parabolic mirror, and so forth,for example.

[0004] When solar radiation is concentrated to a solar energy conversionapparatus using a convergence optical system having such a convergenceelement, it is generally important to make an optical axis of theconvergence optical system agree with an incident direction of solarradiation, in order to obtain a high concentration ratio. Namely, in asolar energy system having a tracking mechanism which rotates theconvergence element in accordance with a variation of an incidentdirection of solar radiation and which makes the solar energy conversionapparatus agree with a focal point of the convergence element, solarradiation is utilized at a high concentration ratio.

[0005] In order to operate such a solar energy system for a long periodof time, durability against a strong wind and so forth is required. Whena height of the convergence element increases, a bad influence due to awind pressure remarkably increases. Therefore, when a convergenceelement extending to a high altitude is utilized, the costs formaintaining a mechanical strength of the convergence element and thetracking mechanism increase. Thus, there has been a limit in utilizing alarge convergence element.

[0006] Further, in irradiating a fixed region with solar radiationutilizing a large flat reflector and so forth, there has been a similarproblem in making a large scale tracking mechanism.

[0007] As another background art, an energy system having a heliostatgroup is known. Such an energy system includes a plurality of flatreflectors and a plurality of tracking mechanisms which respectivelydrive the plurality of flat reflectors. Solar radiation reflected by theplurality of flat reflectors is concentrated to a fixed solar radiationconcentration region. When solar radiation is concentrated at a highconcentration ratio, many high-precision tracking mechanisms are loaded.However, the costs of the tracking mechanisms are high in this case, andthe reduction thereof is requested. Further, in using a large flatreflector, there have been problems associated with the bad influencedue to the above-mentioned wind pressure or the large trackingmechanism.

[0008] As still another background art which is made from such a pointof view, a sunlight convergence apparatus is disclosed in the JapaneseLaid-Open Patent Publication No. 51-27347, which includes many smallreflectors capable of being rotated around respective rotational centerson shafts, a controlling body, and a common link which connects eachsmall reflector to the controlling body. Each small reflector is rotatedwith the same angular variation by moving the controlling body. When thecontrolling body is in a specified position, each small reflector is atan angle so as to reflect and concentrate a parallel light beam at aspecific incident angle toward a prescribed concentration position. Thesunlight convergence apparatus is designed so as to concentrate thereflected light from each small reflector to the concentration position,by controlling the position of the controlling body according to avariation of the incident angle of the parallel incident light beam.

[0009] However, in the sunlight convergence apparatus of which the wholeplurality of reflectors are reviewed as a convergence optical system forconcentrating solar radiation to the prescribed concentration position,there has been the problem that the concentration ratio is remarkablydeteriorated with the increment of the variation of the incident angleof the incident light. However, such a decrease in the concentrationratio is not referred to in the Laid-Open Patent Publication No.51-27347, and the teaching for overcoming this is not disclosed.

[0010] The present invention is made in view of the above, and an objectof the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems andother problems.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelsolar radiation concentrating apparatus which realizes a highconcentration ratio for a wide range of incident solar radiation andwhich collectively drives a plurality of reflectors.

[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anovel solar radiation concentrating apparatus which utilizes solarenergy at a high concentration ratio.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anovel solar radiation concentrating apparatus in which the efficiency ofcollecting solar radiation is high.

[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anovel solar radiation concentrating apparatus at a low cost.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to improve thedurability of a solar energy system against the external environmentsuch as a wind.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a novelsolar radiation concentrating apparatus is provided. The solar radiationconcentrating apparatus includes a plurality of reflectors disposed in areflector arrangement surface, a reference point providing memberdefining respective reference points of rotational movements of theplurality of reflectors, and a cam mechanism which simultaneouslyrotates the plurality of reflectors around respective reference points.The cam mechanism has a prescribed shape such that the plurality ofreflectors concentrate incident solar radiation. The cam mechanism mayinclude a plate cam. The cam mechanism may include a plurality ofcontact needles which are brought into contact with the plurality ofreflectors and a guide member for accommodating the plurality of contactneedles. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus may further includea rotary mechanism which rotates the plurality of reflectors around astraight line perpendicular to the reflector arrangement surface so thatthe solar radiation is caused to be along a prescribed incidentdirection field with respect to a moving coordinate system which moveswith the reflector arrangement surface. In this case, the cam mechanismrotates the plurality of reflectors around respective reference pointsfor dealing with the variation of incident angle of the incident solarradiation with respect to the reflector arrangement surface.

[0017] Further, a monitoring surface provided in a position other than aconcentration position by the plurality of reflectors and a monitoringreflector for reflecting the solar radiation to the monitoring surfacemay be provided in the solar radiation concentrating apparatus. When thesolar radiation reflected by the plurality of reflectors is concentratedto a prescribed position, the monitoring reflector reflects the solarradiation to a prescribed position of the monitoring surface.

[0018] Further, an optical sensor disposed on the monitoring surface maybe provided. In this case, the cam mechanism is controlled so that themonitoring reflector reflects the solar radiation to the prescribedposition of the monitoring surface on the basis of a signal from theoptical sensor.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a solarradiation concentrating apparatus is provided, which includes aplurality of reflectors having acute angle ridge lines respectively, areference point providing member, a plurality of joints definingrespective central points of rotational movements of the plurality ofreflectors, a cam mechanism simultaneously rotating the plurality ofreflectors around respective central points. The cam mechanism includesa cam having a prescribed shape such that the plurality of reflectorsconcentrate incident solar radiation. When each reference pointproviding member includes a flat surface part, each joint may bedisposed on the flat surface part. When the cam mechanism includes aplurality of flat surface parts, the plurality of joints may be disposedon the plurality of flat surface parts, respectively.

[0020] According to still another embodiment of the present invention, asolar radiation concentrating apparatus is provided, which includes aplurality of reflectors, a reference point providing member, a pluralityof joints defining respective central points of rotational movements ofthe plurality of reflectors, a cam mechanism simultaneously rotating theplurality of reflectors around respective central points, and anin-plane rotation preventing mechanism preventing rotation of thereflector in a reflective surface of each reflector. The cam mechanismincludes a cam having a prescribed shape such that the plurality ofreflectors concentrate incident solar radiation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the cam illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the section A-A of the camillustrated in FIG.2.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the section B-B of the camillustrated in FIG.2.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an example of thestructure of a guide member which can be used for the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a conceptual view illustrating a state in which thedirection of incident solar radiation has varied, in the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of aninstallation state of the solar radiation concentrating apparatusaccording to the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of thereflector and the reference point providing member of the solarradiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a conceptual view illustrating a state in which thedirection of the reflector illustrated in FIG. 9 is varied.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0032]FIG. 12 is a conceptual view illustrating the upper part of thesolar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0033]FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of thereference point providing member of the solar radiation concentratingapparatus according to the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of thereflector and the contact needle of the solar radiation concentratingapparatus according to the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example ofthe reflector and the contact needle of the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 16 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example ofthe reflector, the contact needle, and the reference point providingmember of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to thepresent invention.

[0037]FIG. 17 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0038]FIG. 18 is a conceptual view illustrating the upper part of thesolar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 17.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0039] In order to illustrate the present invention in detail, thepresent invention is explained referring to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

[0040] A solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention is explained referring to FIGS. 1-6.FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentratingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In FIG. 1, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 includesa plurality of reflectors 10, a plurality of reference point providingmembers 20, and a cam mechanism 30.

[0042] In order to receive solar radiation reflected by the solarradiation concentrating apparatus 1, a solar energy conversion apparatus100 is installed above the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1. Asthe solar energy conversion apparatus 100, a solar battery, a solar heatdevice, a distillation device, a heat engine, a solar heat powergeneration system, a solar heat closed-fluid path gas turbine powergenerator, a sunlight illumination system, and/or a solar furnace and soforth may be used.

[0043] In FIG. 1, an arrow X, an arrow Y, and an arrow Z designate anXYZ orthogonal coordinate system which moves with the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus 1. The arrow X, the arrow Y, and the arrow Zdesignate the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, respectively. The XYZorthogonal coordinate system is used for facilitating the explanationhereinafter. Further, an arrow S designates the direction of incidentsolar radiation. The arrow S of FIG. 1 is parallel to the Z axis.

[0044] Each reflector 10 is a flat surface reflector. Alternatively, aconvex reflector or a concave reflector may be used. In FIG. 1, ninereflectors are illustrated. In general, the number of the plurality ofreflectors 10 is optional. For example, 2-1000,000 reflectors may bemounted on the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1.

[0045] The plurality of reflectors 10 are capable of being rotatedaround the plurality of reference point providing members 20 as therotational centers, respectively. The plurality of reference pointproviding members 20 are tightly fixed to a base 80 by a member (notshown).

[0046] The plurality of reference point providing members 20 arearranged on a level reflector arrangement surface. Alternatively, theplurality of reference point providing members 20 may be arranged alonga slope, a vertical surface, or a curved surface. Further, the pluralityof reference point providing members 20 may be an integrated memberdefining the reflector arrangement surface. In FIG. 1, nine referencepoint providing members 20 are arranged in three lines and three rows.In general, the form of the arrangement of the plurality of referencepoint providing members 20 is optional. For example, the plurality ofreference point providing members may be arranged on lattice pointshaving any two-dimensional periodicity or on a plurality of triangularlattice points covering the reflector arrangement surface.Alternatively, the plurality of reference point providing members 20 maybe arranged without symmetry or periodicity. Further, the contour of thereflector arrangement surface may be of any shape, for example, acircle, a hexagon, and so forth.

[0047] The cam mechanism 30 includes a cam 40, a cam driving member 50,a cam driving bar 52, a plurality of contact needles 60, and a pluralityof contact needles 70. The cam driving member 50 is tightly fixed to thebase 80. The cam driving member 50 drives the cam 40 along the directionparallel to the arrow X through the cam driving bar 52. A guide rail ora guide groove (not shown) and so forth may be provided. A motor or ascrew may be used respectively, as the cam driving member and the camdriving bar, for example.

[0048] The plurality of contact needles 60 are capable of being movedonly in the direction parallel to the arrow Z. Each contact needle 60 isbrought into contact with the cam 40. The X coordinate and the Ycoordinate of the contact point of each contract needle 60 with the cam40 in the XYZ coordinate system are invariant, respectively. The Zcoordinate of the contact point is varied with the movement of the cam40, according to the shape of the cam 40.

[0049] The plurality of contact needles 70 are capable of being movedonly in the direction parallel to the arrow Z. Each contact needle 70 isbrought into contact with the cam 40. The X coordinate and the Ycoordinate of the contact point of each contact needle 70 with the cam40 in the XYZ coordinate system are invariant, respectively. The Zcoordinate of the contact point is varied with the movement of the cam40, according to the shape of the cam 40.

[0050] The direction of a reflective surface of each reflector 10 isvaried according to the variation of the Z coordinates of the contactneedle 60 and the contact needle 70 being brought into contact with thereflector. Namely, the direction of the reflective surface of eachreflector 10 is varied with the movement of the cam 40.

[0051]FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the cam 40. In the portion where thecam 40 is brought into contact with the plurality of contact needles 60and the plurality of contact needles 70, a curved surface having aprescribed shape is formed.

[0052]FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the section A-A of FIG. 2.When the cam 40 is moved in the direction such that the X coordinatethereof increases, respective Z coordinates of the plurality of contactneedles 60 and the plurality of contact needles 70 increase.

[0053] The reflective surface of each reflector 10 is parallel to aplane passing through the three points composed of the contact point ofthe reflector 10 with the contact needle 60, the contact point of thereflector 10 with the contact needle 70, and the reference point whichis provided by the reference point providing member 20.

[0054]FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the section B-B of FIG. 2.The shape of the cam 40 being brought into contact with the contactneedle 60 and the plurality of contact needles 70 is defined so that thesolar radiation reflected by the plurality of reflectors 10 isconcentrated to the above-mentioned solar energy conversion apparatus.

[0055] When a high concentration ratio is requested, a pulse vibrationgenerator (not shown) which finely and intermittently vibrates the cam40 may be provided, in order to smoothly perform the sliding of theplurality of contact needles 60. Further, a guide member accommodatingthe plurality of contact needles 60 and the plurality of contact needles70 may be provided between the cam 40 and the plurality of reflectors10.

[0056]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the structure of the guide memberwhich can be used for the solar radiation concentrating apparatus ofFIG. 1. The plurality of contact needles 60 and the plurality of contactneedles 70 are fitted into a guide member 120.

[0057] When an especially high concentration ratio is requested, inorder to prevent the deformation of the plurality of reference pointproviding members 20 and/or the cam mechanism 30 due to their owngravity, these may be housed in a container (not shown) which is filledwith liquid such as water providing buoyancy. In this case, a compositematerial having a specific density near the density of water may beused. The container may include a transparent cover and a dew preventingmeans. The plurality of reflectors 10 may also be soaked in the water.Further, an appropriate water treatment may be performed for preventingthe propagation of microbes in the water. Further, an appropriateprocess for preventing the pile up of air bubbles in the water, forexample, a process for removing dissolved gas in a decompressedatmosphere may be performed.

[0058] An example the operational environment of the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus 1 is explained as follows. In FIG. 1, the solarradiation concentrating apparatus 1 has the structure so as to becapable of being rotated around a straight line parallel to the Z axispassing through the solar energy conversion apparatus 100. For thepurpose of this, a rotary mechanism 90 is provided. The rotary mechanism90 rotates the base 80 so that the Y component of the vector parallel toincident solar radiation is caused to be zero in the XYZ coordinatesystem moving with the reflector arrangement surface of the solarradiation concentrating apparatus.

[0059]FIG. 6 is a conceptual view illustrating a state of the solarradiation concentrating apparatus in which incident solar radiation hasvaried. In FIG. 6, the incident solar radiation parallel to an arrow Sis incident obliquely on the reflector arrangement surface. In thiscase, as mentioned above, the base 80 is rotated so that the Ycoordinate of the vector parallel to the incident solar radiation withrespect to the XYZ coordinate system is caused to the zero. In order toconfirm this state, an incident direction indicating member 110 isprovided. The incident direction indicating member 110 is tightlyconnected to the base 80. Further, an indicator line 112 parallel to theX axis is illustrated on the base 80. As mentioned above, because theXYZ coordinate system is the coordinate system which moves with thesolar radiation concentrating apparatus 1, even when the base 80 isrotated, the indicator line 112 maintains the geometrical relationshipparallel to the X axis. The position of the base 80 is adjusted so thatthe shadow of the incident direction indicating member 110 is caused tobe parallel to the indicator line 112. Namely, the position of the base80 is controlled so that the Y component of the vector parallel to theincident solar radiation is caused to be always zero.

[0060] In this controlled state, the variation of the direction of theunit vector parallel to the incident solar radiation with respect to theXYZ coordinate system is confined to the variation only in the XZ plane.Namely, only the angle of elevation of the incident solar radiation isvaried in the XYZ coordinate system.

[0061] In the above-mentioned XYZ coordinate system, the shape of thecam 40 is defined so that the solar radiation obliquely incident alongthe X axis is caused to be concentrated to the solar energy.

[0062] Namely, when the direction of incident solar radiation hasvaried, the cam 40 performs a prescribed movement, thereby the pluralityof reflectors 10 always concentrate the incident solar radiation to thesolar energy conversion apparatus 100. Accordingly, a high concentrationratio is realized in a wide incident angle range of solar radiation.

[0063] When the solar radiation concentrating apparatus includes manyreflectors, the cam may be divided into a plurality of parts.

[0064]FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 7, the solar radiation concentratingapparatus 1 includes a plurality of reflectors 10, a plurality ofreference point providing members 20, and a cam mechanism 30.

[0065] The cam mechanism 30 includes a cam 40, a first cam drivingmember 50, a first cam driving bar 52, a second cam driving member 54, asecond cam driving bar 56, a plurality of contact needles 60, and aplurality of contact needles 70. The first cam driving member 50 and thesecond cam driving member 54 are tightly fixed to the base 80,respectively. The base 80 is fixed to an installation surface.

[0066] The first cam driving member 50 drives the cam 40 in thedirection parallel to an arrow X through the first cam driving bar 52.The first cam driving member 50 drives the cam 40 with the period of oneday. A clock (not shown) may be provided for controlling the driving ofthe cam 40.

[0067] Further, the second cam driving member 54 drives the cam 40 inthe direction parallel to an arrow Y through the cam driving bar 56. Thesecond cam driving member 54 periodically drives the cam 40 with theperiod of one year.

[0068] Friction reducing members (not shown) may be provided between thecam 40 and the first cam driving bar 52 and between the cam 40 and thesecond cam driving bar 56. In this case, the movement of the cams in theXY plane is performed smoothly.

[0069] The cam 40 has a prescribed shape so that the plurality ofreflectors 10 concentrate solar radiation to the solar energy conversionapparatus 100 throughout a year.

[0070]FIG. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of theinstallation state of the solar radiation concentrating apparatusaccording to the present invention. The solar radiation concentratingapparatus 1 is installed on a water surface of a pond 150. Therefore, afloating body (not shown) having the buoyancy is used as the base. Thesolar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 is capable of being rotatedaround a straight line 140 which is perpendicular to the water surfaceof the pond 150 and which passes through the solar energy conversionapparatus 100. According to the utilization of the buoyancy of water,the power required for rotating the solar radiation is greatly reduced.The solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 8 hasa square contour. Alternatively, the contour of the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus may be of the other shape, for example,circular. An anchor or a wave extinguishing member may be provided.

[0071]FIG. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of thereflector and the reference point providing member of the solarradiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention. InFIG. 9, the reflector 10 is connected to the reference point providingmember 20 through a joint 22. For example, the reflector 10 may beconnected to the reference point providing member 20 through an elasticstring. The reflector 10 includes an acute angle front edge 10A. Thereference point providing member 20 has a plane 20A. The front edge 10Ais slid on the plane 20A around the joint 22 as the rotational center.FIG. 10 is a conceptual view illustrating a state in which the directionof the reflector is varied. Although the front edge 10A is bound alongthe plane 20A, the direction of the reflective surface of the reflector10 is cable being directed in any direction. Further, the rotation ofthe reflector 10 in the reflective surface is prevented by this binding.Accordingly, the operation by the cam mechanism 30 is stabilized.Further, the deviation of the concentrating position is prevented.

[0072] In order to prevent the shielding of the solar radiation by thereference point providing member, the upper part of the reference pointproviding member may be made of a transparent body such as a transparentglass plate.

[0073]FIG. 11 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 12 is a conceptual view illustrating the upperpart of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG.11.

[0074] In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the solar radiation concentratingapparatus 1 includes a plurality of reflectors 10 having acute anglestraight line-like front edges 10A, respectively, a cam mechanism 30, abase body 80 which operates as a floating body, and a rotary mechanism90.

[0075] The cam mechanism 30 includes a plurality of reference pointproviding members 20, a plurality of joints 22, a plurality of cams 40,a pair of cam driving members 50, a connection member 52 whichinterconnects the plurality of cams 40, a plurality of contact needles60, a plurality of contact needles 70, a plurality of supporting members24 which support the reference point providing member 20 on the basebody 80, and a plurality of guide members 120. The guide member 120 isfixed to the reference point providing member 20.

[0076] The cam mechanism 30 collectively drives the plurality ofreflectors 10 so that the solar radiation reflected by the plurality ofreflectors 10 is concentrated to a concentration region (not shown).

[0077] An indicator line 112 which indicates a prescribed incidentdirection for solar radiation with respect to the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus 1 is drawn in FIG. 12. The plurality of cams 40are driven in the direction perpendicular to the direction illustratedby the indicator line.

[0078]FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of thereference point providing member of the solar radiation concentratingapparatus according to the present invention. The reference pointproviding member 20 includes a frame structure having a V-shaped valley.Namely, the reference point providing member 20 includes a trussstructure. A joint 22 is provided at the bottom part of the valley. Inthis case, because the absorption of the incident and reflected solarradiation by the reference point providing member is confined to onlythe outer circumferential frame, the utilization rate of the sunlight isimproved.

[0079]FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of thereflector and the contact needle of the solar radiation concentratingapparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 14, the contactneedle 60 includes a sphere-like front edge 60A. The front edge 60A ismounted in a guide groove 10A formed on the rear surface of thereflector 10. Accordingly, because the contact needle 60 and thereflector are always brought into close contact with each other, evenwhen a strong wind acts on the reflector 10, the reflector is preventedfrom being blown off by the strong wind.

[0080]FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example ofthe reflector and the contact needle of the solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 15,the contact needle 60 includes a sphere-like contact part 60B and astopper member 60C provided at the front edge of the contact needle 60.The contact needle 60 is fitted into a hole 10B bored in the reflector10. Accordingly, even when a strong wind acts on the reflector 10, thereflector is prevented from being blown off by the strong wind.

[0081]FIG. 16 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example ofthe reflector, the contact needle, and the reference point providingmember of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to thepresent invention. In FIG. 16, the reflector 10 having an acute anglefront edge 10A is connected to the contact needle 60 through a joint 62.The joint 62 is provided on a plane part 60A of the contact needle 60.Therefore, the front edge 10A is always brought into contact with theplane part 60A. In this state, the front edge 10A can be rotated aroundthe joint 62 as the rotational center. The reflector 10 is capable ofbeing slid on the reference point providing member 20 fixed by a fixingmeans (not shown). Further, the reflector 10 is capable of being slid onthe contact needle 70. The reflective surface of the reflector 10 isparallel to a plane defined by the joint 62, the reference pointproviding member 20, and the contact needle 70. The lower edge 60B ofthe contact needle 60 is brought into contact with a cam (not shown).

[0082] A weight 320 is provided to the reflector 10. The weight 320facilitates the recovery of the reflector 10 when the reflector 10 isblown up by a strong wind.

[0083]FIG. 17 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 18 is a conceptual view illustrating the upperpart of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG.17.

[0084] In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the solar radiation concentratingapparatus 1 includes a plurality of reflectors 10 each having an acuteangle straight line-like front edge 10A, a cam mechanism 30, a base body80, and a rotary mechanism 90.

[0085] The cam mechanism 30 includes a plurality of reference pointproviding members 20, a plurality of joints 22, a plurality of cams 42,a plurality of cams 44, a pair of cam driving members 50, a connectionmember 52 which interconnects the plurality of cams 42 and the pluralityof cams 4-4, and a plurality of supporting members 24 which support thereference point providing members 20 on the base body 80.

[0086] Each reflector 10 is directly brought into contact with the cams42 and 44. The cam driving mechanism 30 collectively drives theplurality of reflectors 10 so that solar radiation reflected by theplurality of reflectors 10 is concentrated to a concentration region(not shown). Each cam is formed into the shape suitable for preferablyperforming the concentration operation.

[0087] In the above, the solar radiation concentrating apparatusaccording to the present invention is explained in detail. Besides, thepresent invention may be reduced into practice with a supplemental meansfor preferably operating the solar radiation concentrating apparatus andthe method for concentrating solar radiation according to the presentinvention, for example, a Fresnel concave lens converting a convergingoptical beam reflected by the solar radiation concentrating apparatusinto a parallel light beam, a spectroscopic element, a reflectivelight-amount controlling means, a heat accumulator, a heat conductivemember, a heat insulating member, a temperature controlling means, anoptical power meter, an adjusting means for adjusting a concentrationratio, a shading sidewall preventing the reflected light from aconcentration region from reaching to the outside region, a transparentcover for the shielding from dust and a strong wind, an informationstorage medium, an arithmetic processor, a guide member for preventingthe contact between the reflectors, and/or an encoder about positionaldata of the moving member.

[0088] Further, the structure as explained above may be practiced withvarious variations. For example, the cam mechanism may include a basewhich supports the plane cam and a bias cam which shifts the position ofthe base. Alternatively, the cam mechanism may be a rotary type cam.Further, the cam mechanism may include a plurality of reflector verticalbars for driving the plurality of reflectors, respectively.

[0089] Namely, the present invention disclosed herein provides a novelsolar radiation concentrating apparatus, wherein in view of the detailedteachings disclosed in the above-explanation, the practice of thepresent invention is not limited to the above examples for explainingthe best mode of the present invention, and wherein the presentinvention may be practiced as another embodiment with variations withinthe scope of the claims as follows or may be practiced withoutsupplemental forms or constituting elements which are appended forexplaining the best embodiment of the above examples.

[0090] Industrial Applicability

[0091] According to the present invention as constituted above, thesolar radiation concentrating apparatus having a high concentrationratio for a wide incident angle range of solar radiation is provided.Further, according to the solar radiation concentrating apparatusaccording to the present invention, a novel solar energy system isrealized, which includes a sunlight irradiation device, a photovoltaicpower generation system, a solar heat system, a distillation device, aheat engine, a solar heat power generation system, a solar heat closedfluid path gas turbine power generation system, a sunlight illuminationsystem, and/or a solar furnace, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solar radiation concentrating apparatus,comprising: a plurality of reflectors arranged on a reflectorarrangement surface; a reference point providing member which definesrespective reference points of rotational movements of the plurality ofreflectors; and a cam mechanism which simultaneously rotates theplurality of reflectors around respective reference points, wherein thecam mechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape such that theplurality of reflectors concentrate an incident solar radiation.
 2. Thesolar radiation concentrating apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe cam mechanism includes a plane cam.
 3. The solar radiationconcentrating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cam mechanismincludes a plurality of contact needles which are brought into contactwith the plurality of reflectors and a guide member which accommodatesthe plurality of contact needles.
 4. The solar radiation concentratingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary mechanismwhich rotates the plurality of reflectors around a straight lineperpendicular to the reflector arrangement surface so that the incidentsolar radiation is caused to be along a prescribed incident directionfield in a moving coordinate system moving with the reflectorarrangement surface, wherein the cam mechanism rotates the plurality ofreflectors around respective reference points according to a variationof an incident angle of the incident solar radiation with respect to thereflector arrangement surface.
 5. A solar radiation concentratingapparatus, comprising; a plurality of reflectors each having an acuteangle ridge line; a reference point providing member; a plurality ofjoints which define respective central points of rotational movements ofthe plurality of reflectors; and a cam mechanism which simultaneouslyrotates the plurality of reflectors around respective central points,wherein the cam mechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape suchthat the plurality of reflectors concentrate an incident solarradiation.
 6. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein each reference point providing member includes a planepart, and wherein each joint is disposed on the plane part.
 7. The solarradiation concentrating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cammechanism includes a plurality of plane parts, and wherein the pluralityof joints are disposed on the plurality of plane parts.
 8. A solarradiation concentrating apparatus, comprising: a plurality ofreflectors; a reference point providing member; a plurality of jointswhich define respective central points of rotational movements of theplurality of reflectors; a cam mechanism which simultaneously rotatesthe plurality of reflectors around respective central points; and anin-plane rotational movement preventing means for preventing rotation ofthe reflector in a reflective surface of each reflector, wherein the cammechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape such that theplurality of reflectors concentrate an incident solar radiation.